In November 2025, the company Mondelēz International surprised Costa Rican society by announcing the implementation of a special leave for the adoption or death of pets [1], granting three days to its employees so they may welcome a new member into their household or cope with the grief resulting from such loss. In this way, Mondelēz International became the first company in Costa Rica to recognize pets as loved ones and to acknowledge their impact on mental health.
Although some companies in other regions of the world have adopted internal policies aimed at emotional well-being and have recognized the importance of pets within the household, Costa Rican legislation does not yet expressly provide for leave associated with the human–animal bond. This debate becomes particularly relevant in light of the growing awareness of the psychological effects resulting from the loss of a companion animal, as well as from the incorporation of a new member into the household.
Human beings are characterized by their social nature and therefore tend to develop bonds with their closest circle, including animals, nowadays referred to as “domestic”, given the close connection established between both, based on the naturalness and normalization of diverse expressions of affection. [2]
This growing phenomenon calls for analysis through legal and jurisprudential tools supported by fundamental rights, legal guarantees, and related elements. Likewise, understanding animals as part of each individual’s household makes it possible to promote social solidarity, the right to health, dignity, and the protection of the integrity of companion animals, which have been defined as sentient beings. [3]
Within this context, the current legal framework includes Bill No. 24,482, entitled Recognition of the Capacity of Animals to Feel and the Harmonization of Their Environment with That of Human Beings [4], which expressly recognizes animals as sentient beings and links their protection to human dignity. Among other objectives, this bill seeks to recognize the emotional bond between human families and companion animals.
The loss of a companion animal goes beyond the understanding of property or utilitarian objects, as these are beings with whom deep bonds are formed. Upon their loss, a grieving process is triggered that is comparable to the psychological process experienced following the death of a loved one, a process that does not distinguish the species lost, but rather the strength of the bond. The emotional impact may even extend for several months, directly affecting the individual’s emotional well-being and, consequently, their daily performance and professional development. [5]
In addition, it has been shown that individuals who experience the loss of a pet may face difficulties in overcoming it due to social attitudes that minimize their pain. Often, grief processes related to the loss of a pet are neither recognized nor valued by society. (…) This lack of recognition may be explained by the widespread perception that pets are replaceable and by the failure to acknowledge the significant relationship that exists between individuals and their animals. [6]
The recognition of this type of leave linked to the death or adoption of a pet is not an isolated phenomenon. In Spain, various companies, particularly within the animal care sector, have implemented paid leave for the death of a companion animal as a measure aimed at valuing employees’ emotional well-being. [7]
In the Americas, a pioneering case occurred in Argentina [8], when the company Royal Canin granted one day of leave for the adoption of a pet, thereby recognizing the importance of the adaptation process both for the animal and for the employee who assumes caregiving responsibilities.
In Chile [9], in November 2025, the Chamber of Deputies approved the bill known as the “Duque Law,” which introduces an amendment to the Labor Code to allow one day of paid leave in the event of a pet’s death. This bill will now be discussed by the Senate and, if approved, subsequently enacted by the Executive Branch. Meanwhile, in Peru [10] and Colombia [11], various legislative initiatives have been introduced to regulate this type of leave. Although these initiatives are still under discussion, they suggest a near possibility of regulation within these legal systems.
Accordingly, these developments reflect a regional and international trend toward recognizing the human-animal bond and its impact on working life. In Costa Rica, despite the absence of a bill expressly regulating this type of leave, Mondelēz International’s decision not only introduces an innovative internal policy but also places this discussion on the public agenda.
At present, in the absence of legislative debate on the matter, the implementation of such innovative measures remains at the discretion of employers. As this case constitutes a relevant precedent in terms of corporate social responsibility, and in the absence of legal regulation, companies may play an active role in adapting labor relations in favor of employees’ emotional well-being. Recognizing these realities not only represents progress from a humanistic and human rights perspective, but also constitutes a commitment to healthier, more productive workplaces aligned with contemporary social dynamics.
At Bufete Godínez & Asociados, we are a law firm specialized in Labor Law in Costa Rica, focused on corporate advisory services and comprehensive labour risk management. Our team of labour lawyers advises national and multinational companies on regulatory compliance, disciplinary processes, terminations, collective bargaining, internal policy design, prevention of contingencies, and legal representation in judicial and administrative proceedings.
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Bibliography
[1] Andrei Siles, in Amelia Rueda, “Tres días de licencia por adopción o muerte de mascota implementa transnacional Mondelez,” November 19, 2025.
https://ameliarueda.com/noticia/tres-dias-licencia-adopcion-muerte-mascota-implementa-transnacional-mondelez-noticias-costa-rica.
[2] [3] Trujillo Bonilla, Laura Sofía, “Licencia remunerada por luto debido a la muerte de un animal de compañía en Colombia,” 2023.
https://hdl.handle.net/10901/25855.
[4] Asamblea Legislativa de la República de Costa Rica. Proyecto de ley: Reconocimiento de la capacidad de sentir de los animales y la armonización de su entorno con el de los seres humanos, Expediente No. 24.482. San José, Costa Rica, 2024.
[5] [6] Velásquez Rodríguez, Karol Natalia, and María Camila Alemán Bernal, “La extensión de la protección de los derechos laborales al otorgar licencia de luto ante el fallecimiento de un animal de compañía.” Universidad Libre, Bogotá, Colombia, 2023.
https://hdl.handle.net/10901/28235.
[7] Patitas&Co., “Primera empresa española en ofrecer 3 días de permiso retribuido por fallecimiento de mascota,” 2025.
https://patitasco.com/blog/actualidad/primera-empresa-espanola-en-ofrecer-3-dias-de-permiso-retribuido-por-fallecimiento-de-mascota.html.
[8] Royal Canin, “Royal Canin otorga la primera licencia por adopción de mascota,” April 9, 2025.
https://www.royalcanin.com/ar/about-us/news/royal-canin-otorga-la-primera-licencia-por-adopcion-de-mascota.
[9] CNN Chile, “Ley Duque: Cámara aprueba proyecto que permite ausentarse del trabajo por la muerte de una mascota,” November 3, 2025.
https://www.cnnchile.com/pais/ley-duque-camara-aprueba-proyecto-que-permite-ausentarse-del-trabajo-por-la-muerte-de-una-mascota_20251103/.
[10] CNN Español, “Perú: proponen licencia laboral por muerte de mascotas,” November 29, 2024.
https://cnnespanol.cnn.com/2024/11/29/peru-proponen-licencia-laboral-muerte-mascotas-orix.
[11] Tirant lo Blanch (Prime), “Avanza en el Congreso proyecto de ley que otorga licencia por luto ante la muerte de mascotas,” March 20, 2025.
https://prime.tirant.com/co/actualidad-prime/avanza-en-el-congreso-proyecto-de-ley-que-otorga-licencia-por-luto-ante-la-muerte-de-mascotas.